Tag: Technology

Some have turned to chickpeas as a coffee alternative. An invigorating espresso, however, remains hard to replace. Now, an Australian research team has come up with the next best thing: espresso prepared using 75% less energy than before. The trick lies in the use of ultrasound waves rather than boiling water. A transducer attached to the side of the...

Alternatives to single-use plastic are available - thanks to spider’s silk. Meanwhile, a US research team has been inspired by jumping spiders’ vision to create a highly efficient 3D camera. Thanks to their multi-layered retina, the spiders can compute distances very quickly. The camera, like the spiders’ retina, takes two images of the same area, each with a different...

A special ring could make digital communication more secure in future. Now, two students from Germany have designed a bracelet to help deaf people communicate with others in real-life conversation. The bracelet translates sign language into spoken word in real time. A sensor in the bracelet measures electric muscle activity in the forearm during signing; at the same time,...

Coffee grounds are a versatile thing: used in everything from sustainable concrete to glasses frames, even offering natural oils for cosmetics. But as a cocoa alternative? It might sound far-fetched, but that’s exactly what a USA-based startup is trying to achieve. The logic is simple enough: from a taste perspective there are similarities between coffee and cocoa. First the...

Microplastics can be filtered during washing, while schoolchildren have already invented ivy-based detergents. Now, a startup in Taiwan has reinterpreted and patented an existing process so that industrial-scale washing can take place without the use of chemical detergents. Their device is installed prior to the inlet of the machine and treats tap water using electrolysis. This generates nano-bubbles with...

Experienced hackers can be exposed. Password vaults help people remember the many logins required to access online services. But even they aren’t completely risk-free. Cue a Texas-based research team and its browser extension, which allows users to dispense with passwords save for a single master one. When visiting a website, the extension must first be activated and the master...

Lighting and air-conditioning can be controlled using a ring. Now, a design studio in Amsterdam has devised a piece of jewellery that enhances digital security. Still a concept, the ring is used for verifying personal contacts. Initially, an integrated infrared-light scanner captures the blood flow through users’ finger veins. This information is converted into a personal code and stored...

Glasses help minimise epileptic fits or relieve the symptoms of depression with light. For motorcyclists, however, too much light can be a serious hazard. Enter an Italian startup and its new visor which automatically adjusts to light conditions using a layer of liquid crystals. Their arrangement is determined by a small solar panel in the helmet, and changes depending...